"For the road to Truth lies through the thick forests of illusion and across the wide wastelands of deceit."

Lia Fail, Newport Tower, America

“Little is known of the early history of Ireland; and whatever is authentic, we have more from the history of other nations than from its own. We know that it was a bone of contention between various nations for many years; and that, for a long time, it was the scene of all manner of discord, arising from civil, as well as foreign distraction. We know, also, that during the eighth and ninth centuries, it was the seat of learning for all Europe; and that even one of its universities numbered more than seven thousand students; but from the beginning of the eleventh century, when Brian Boru was crowned king of the whole Island, we have an authentic history down to the present day.”

“Long prior to this, however, the Tuatha de Danaan brought with them from Scandinavia the Lia Fail, or stone of destiny, possessing the remarkable property of making a strange noise, and evincing great disturbance whenever a monarch of Ireland, of pure blood, was crowned. A prophecy (and on this depends our story) was attached to it, that whatever country possessed it, should be ruled over by a king of Irish descent, and enjoy uninterrupted success and prosperity. It was preserved at Cashel, where the kings were crowned upon it; subsequently was kept at the Hill of Tara, thence was carried to Scotland by an Irish prince, who succeeded to the crown of that country, and there was preserved till Edward the First conveyed it to England, and placed it under the seat of the coronation-chair of the kings. Such is the recorded history of this singular stone.”

Not believing the given history of the Lia Fail and that its prophecy was properly executed, our intrepid authors set upon an arduous and time-consuming trek in order to learn the truth of the stone’s history.

Weeks passed by in their travels as they embraced the aid of numerous mediums, none of whom could invoke the spirit of King Brian Boru, the source they wished to contact.

Exhausted after long, unsuccessful trials, and on the verge of abandoning their quest, the authors were joyously relieved when the great king appeared and revealed to them the true story of the Lia Fail.

“And thus his majesty commenced”:

‘You are well acquainted with the history of the Lia Fail, that remarkable stone on which I myself was crowned king of the royal domain of Ireland. You know that not long after my demise, it was taken to Scotland, and the popular belief is, that thence it was taken to England; and you yourselves have seen what you supposed to be it, under the chair in which the kings and queens of England are crowned at Westminster; but this is not so. The real history of the stone is this’:

‘In Scotland a civil war broke out, and a band of Irishmen, who had as their chief one of my own descendants, taking advantage of the disturbed state of the country, succeeded in exchanging for it a stone its counterpart in all external respects, and bearing their prize in safety to their native shores. They were not satisfied with this; and influenced by a desire, not only for the safety of the stone, but also that they might hold it in undisputed possession, they trusted themselves in a small vessel to the mercy of the winds and waves to waft them whithersoever they would. They bound their fate to the destiny of the Lia Fail, and dared and braved the elements.’

‘For weeks they sailed: at last the rocky shores of your own New-England hove in sight, and there they landed their precious cargo. Who built the Newport Tower, long before the discovery of America by the Spaniards? Yes: by them was that tower, the subject since of many speculations, built; and there for a number of years they lived; but fearing still for the safety of their stone, knowing that other and perhaps stronger bands of colonists might disturb them, they, having secured the friendship of the neighboring tribes of Indians, set off to the then, by white men, unexplored West.’

‘For years they were virtually a nomadic tribe, like their copper-colored brethren; and wherever they sojourned they were received as beings of a superior race. At last, an increased and increasing band, they came to the Rocky Mountains. There, to this day, their descendants live. There, undisturbed as yet by the adventurous explorer, in peace and in quiet, guarding their stone, and worshipping their GOD after their ancient fashion, they have grown to a nation. Surrounded by a vast amphitheatre of hills, they know not of the outer world.’

‘And now I have done. I may not, I dare not unveil to your eyes the future. All that you sought, the verification of the prophecy, has been proved to you. Suffice it, that the Lia Fail is concealed in America. Suffice it, that its destiny is not yet fulfilled. Suffice it, that ye heed this, my parting counsel.’

‘My countrymen are now your countrymen and brothers. Let the bonds of amity, of faith, of friendship and truth, that have now so long existed between you, never be sundered.’